Rebels enter season facing uncertainty

Saturday

SPRINGFIELD - The Effingham County Rebels know they can play with the best baseball teams in the state.

The team proved that last year after beating Lakeside-Evans in the first game of the opening round before falling in two straight contests to the eventual AAAA runner-up.

One of the problems, though, is that several key players from that 14-15 squad have graduated and moved on to play college ball. Important players from the 2010 team are back, however, and three of them have committed to colleges.

"Our biggest weakness is the unknown," Effingham County coach Brett Griffin said after the team's 11-0 victory opening night over Screven County. "We had a lot of kids to replace. We're rolling in some new names. We've got to figure some things out. Unfortunately, we have to figure it out fast."

At least Griffin has some talented seniors to look to while the younger players develop.

Austin Denney opened the season on the mound, where he will be part of a rotation with fellow seniors Ryan Frederick and D.J. Driggers.

Denney, who plays second base when not pitching, is committed to East Georgia. He doubled to lead off three separate innings against Screven County, an early indication he can be a mainstay at the No. 1 spot.

"Austin's a true team guy," Griffin said. "He's been at shortstop the last two years. With him being one of the top pitchers, he's taking the role at second base. It puts less stress on his arm. I can't say enough about him. He's a team player, he does what's best for the team. He understands that."

Frederick, an outfielder committed to the Savannah College of Art and Design, bats in the latter part of the order but is still a fine hitter with a good glove.

Rebel fans didn't get to watch Driggers opening night because the Middle Georgia recruit was out with the flu.

"He's a kid who throws hard and has a lot of movement," Griffin said of Driggers. "And he can run and go get it."

Griffin said those three leaders will all be counted on to give quality at-bats and solid innings on the hill, but the coach is also counting on solid production from his four other seniors.

Third baseman Kerry Ward and first baseman Justin Bowen also start, and Ryan Martin gets the nod behind the plate, although junior Sean Sisolak bats in place of the catcher.

Sophomores Cal Baker, Eric Knox and Jesse Whaley will all see significant playing time, Griffin said.

Knox doubled while hitting in the 3-spot of the line-up, while Baker had two RBI in the opener.

Knox and Whaley will also see time on the hill, as will juniors Max Galt, Brandon Edwards and Logan Bell and senior Landon Snooks.